Bearing-hanger structure



y 5, 1960 P. e. SIEBERT BEARING-HANGER STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 16, 1959 h it mmvroa PRESTON 6. 5/585 A TTOENf Y5 Unite States The present 'invention is' directed to self-alining bearings, more particularly to a novel construction thereof whereby certain unexpected and important advantages are obtained.

Such self-alining bearings have been known for a great many years and one of the prior art structures involved a hanger in the form of a plate, having a central opening provided with arcuate recesses, one of which was substantially semi-circular and the other of which was split 'into"two portions with an opening therebetween. A bearing having a shroud had two pair of opposed tongues of approximately the same length as the split arcuate recess so as to fit into the same. In order to lock the bearing in the hanger, a key of complicated structure was provided. The key was relatively large and had an angular tongue which was intended to fit into the space between the pair of recesses and it also had a hand grip on one end thereof. Considerable difficulty was encountered in the placing of the locking key into position and it required considerable manipulation because of the number of angular bends therein before it would fit into a locking position on the hanger. Also, it often required a tool, such as pliers or a wrench to remove the key when it was desired to replace the hearing after it had become worn.

The present invention is intended and adapted to overcome the difiiculties and disadvantages inherent in devices of the type described, it being among the objects of the present invention to provide a combination of hanger and self-alining bearing which is sturdy in construction and effective in operation.

It is also among the objects of the present invention to provide a simple means for locking the bearing into the hanger and for removing the same for replacement without interfering with the self-alining feature of the combination.

It is further among thoobjects of the present invention to provide a locking arrangement which does not require any tools, which can readily be slipped into and taken out of position, which is proof against loosening accidentally by vibration :and which can be operated by unskilled workers.

In practicing the present invention, there is provided a hanger of the usual type, together with a bearing having a shroud thereon. The hanger has in the circular opening a pair of oppositely formed tracks covering an arc of somewhat less than 90, and usually about 85". Similarly the shroud has a pair of oppositely formed ribs, each of which is also somewhat less than 90 and usually being approximately 85. The bearing is fitted into the hanger and a locking strip is provided for bold ing the bearing in place.

The strip is of resilient material and is circular over an arc of less than 360", usually from 340 to 350'. On opposite sides of the strip are depending extensions, each of whichis provided with a boss extending from the outer periphery thereof. The gap in the strip is sufficient to allow compression thereof by the user until the gap is practically closed, after which the strip is applied to the assembly with the extensions passing through the opening between the sets of tracks.

hereof and in which like reference characters indicate like;

. parts,

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of the invention, showing each of the three elements thereof in perspective;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the combined hearing and hanger in its operative position; and Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view partially in section showing a detail of one of the features.

The hanger consists of a pair of flat plates 1 and 2, one end of which being bent outwardly as shown at 3 and .4, respectively, forming a space adapted to receive a stationary part of an apparatus to which the bearing structure is,

to be applied. Bolt holes 5 are provided therein whereby the hanger may be secured to the support. The two plates are permanently secured together, as for example" by'spot welds 6. r

'A circular opening 7 has tracks 8 and 9 integrally formed with plates 1 and 2 and projections 10 and 11 diagonally opposite each other are formed in one of the ends of tracks 8 and 9 and constitute stops in order to properly locate the bearing in the hanger. Spaces 12 and 13 intermediate tracks 8 and 9 cover an angle of slightly more than and usually about A bearing 14, which may be of any usual type but commonly is a metallized graphite oilless bearing 14, is provided with a metal shroud consisting of a cylindrical member 15, one edge of which 16 is crimped over one edge of the hearing. A complementary shroud 17 has one end crimped over the other end of bearing 14. Ribs 18 and 19 are formed at the adjacent edges of shroud elements 15 and 17, the length of said ribs being approximately equal to the length of tracks 8 and 9.

Locking strip 20 of resilient metal has a gap 21 at the adjacent edges thereof. The strip covers an angle somewhat less than 360 and usually from 340 to 350. Opposite sides 22 of strip 20 constitute finger holds whereby the locking strip may be grasped by the thumb and forefinger for compression purposes. Depending from parts 22 are extensions 23 and 24 having bosses 25 punched therein on the outer surface of said extensions.

In the operation of the invention, bearing 14 is inserted in opening 7 of the hanger, with ribs 18 and 19 adjacent to surfaces 12 and 13 until said ribs are opposite said tracks. The bearing is rotated, causing the ribs and tracks to interfit and the motion is limited by. stops 10 and 11. Then parts 22 of strip 20 are grasped, the strip compressed until gap 21 is practically closed, the strip pushed into opening 7 until bosses 25 pass through said opening. The strip is then released, causing it to spring back into contact with the edges of opening 7, the bosses 25 locking under the hanger, as more particularly shown in Fig. 2. This firmly locks the assembly in position against even violent vibration so that the bearing is securely held in position. At the same time, since strip 20 does not bear against bearing 14, it is still free to aline itself with the shaft.

Although the invention has been described setting forth a single specific embodiment thereof, the invention is not to be limited to the details of construction as various changes may be made within the spirit of the invention. The materials may be other than those specifically set forth, the shape of the various elements may be altered considerably and single elements may be made of several parts and vice versa. The invention is, therefore, to be Patented July 5, 196

Upon being re-f leased, the strip springs back into itsoriginal form due to the resiliency thereof and the bosses contact with the 7 being provided with a substantially circular opening; a

cyfindiical bearin a Shroud on'theouter' periphery of said bearing'coop'erating means on said shroud and said opening for retaining .said bearing in saidflhanger, the

' improvement in which said cooperating means comprises apair of arcuate ribs extending from said shroud and I in opposed relation cooperating withsa pair of areuate tracks for the reception of said ribs. extending from said" opening and opposed relationywhereby said rfbs and A tracks are adapted to coincide, leaving? at least one arendisplacement.

i 2.; In a beat-mg, and hanger according to claim 1, the

feature wherein said retaining means is at least one boss 7 01ftv said strip adapted to seat against one face of said plate. 7 p p 3'. Inv a bearing and hanger according to claim 1,;the feature wherein there are two opposed areas and said strip fits into both of said areas;

4, In a hearing and hanger according to claim 1, the

I feature wherein said strip has an extension fitting into said area. a

5..In a bearing and'hanger according to claim 1, the feature wherein'said strip has an extension fitting into 5 'said area, said extension is arcuate, the length of said extension being less than the length of said area.

6. In a bearing and hanger according to claim 1, the feature wherein the length-of thearc of each of said ribs is slightly less than 90. 1

10 7. In a hearing and hanger according to claim' 1, the

feature wherein the length at .the'areas is slightlytgreater .than 90. I a 77 a I 8. In a bearing and' hanger according to 'claim.,4,' the feature wherein said retaining means is atleast oneboss v 7 [1'5 onrsaid extension adapted to seat'against'one' face of" ate 'areabetween opposed' tracks andribs, an arcuate' resilient strip adapted to fitfinto said area, and means for retaining said strip said hanger against accidental said plate.

9. in a bearing and hanger according to claim 4, the. V feature wherein'said arcuate strip has a length slightly less than 360.

20 10. Ina bearing and hanger according to claim t, the

feature wherein said arcuate strip is provided with means on the side opposite said extension for gripping. and com- 7 pressing said strip; 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2819,93;

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